Members of Disbanded KMC Police concerned about their fate

By MUHAMMED S. BAHSome of the members of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) police, who were stopped from working by an executive directive since the beginning of June this year, are raising concerns regarding their fate and also the non payment of their salaries.

Foroyaa was informed by some of these former municipal staff on Monday, 8 August 2016, that since they were asked by the KMC Mayor to stop working for the municipality for the time being, they have not received their salaries.

“We were promised by the Council that our salaries for these past months will be paid but since then we have not received a single butut or heard from them regarding our fate or service,” said one of them.

They explained that this stoppage has affected more than 200 members who constituted the Kanifing municipal police and who are all heads of families or households.

A directive issued by the Office of the President on Thursday, 9 June 2016, which transferred the duties and responsibilities of the municipal and area council police to the Gambia Police Force (GPF). However, no official reason was advanced as to why this decision was taken by the executive.

The former municipal, however, are very much concerned as to whether they will be reinstated and or paid their salaries.

“The decision stopping us from work was very devastating as it came at a time when the fasting month of Ramadan commenced and it has been very hard for us since then. A greater problem is coming as school will be reopening next month and we do not have any means of earning an income,” said another affected member of the former municipal police.

Speaking to the KMC PRO through the phone and who said she was at home at time, she indicated that it was a directive and that she cannot make any further comments on it.

This reporter has also been making efforts for two days now to arrange for an interview on the matter with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) which could not materialize as he is said to be busy in meetings. Foroyaa will continue with the efforts and publish his response accordingly.